bear the form

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bear the form" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something takes on a particular shape or appearance. Example: "The sculpture was designed to bear the form of a human figure, capturing the essence of movement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Star-traveling species could be presumed to have a sophisticated knowledge of genetics and DNA function and therefore would not necessarily bear the form that evolution on a native planet had given them.

Vice

As a past participle of "bear," the form "born" is used only in passive constructions referring to birth: She was born in 1963.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Gerry has a particular cross to bear in the form of his delectable wife Cookie, a bottle blonde played with gusto by Catherine O'Hara, a bit frowzy, a touch blowsy, and alarmingly liable to be hailed at any time by one of her many thousands of ex-boyfriends.

The Guardian - Film

They bear on the form of their knowledge (articulate/implicit, formal/informal, by acquaintance or description, and so forth).

SEP

Only Miss Froy (Dame May Whitty), the courageous little old lady, is there to carry the torch for Britain and bear the vital MacGuffin (in the form of a state secret encoded in a piece of folk music) that may save the nation.

The Guardian - Film

The études, like a palimpsest, bear the traces of song form, but their overt physicality makes them different.

The New York Times - Arts

Some have never felt the full-on wrath of their central beasts, others seem to bear the scars in their forms and their stellar components.

Huffington Post

We hypothesize that adult endothelial cells (ECs), isolated from limb veins of elderly patients, bear the vasculogenic properties required to form vascular networks in vitro that can later integrate with the host vasculature upon implantation.

Molecular Therapy

The Qiantang tidal bore takes the form of a high wall of water that rushes upstream with a thunderous roar.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Regardless of the methods of financing, the real cost of any governmental activity, war or otherwise, is borne in the form of reduced private consumption and investment and harder work or the like during the period in which it is carried on.

Encyclopedia Britannica

which was proposed at first by Peregrine [1] to describe the development of an undular bore, has the form U t + U x + 6 U 2 U x − μ U x x t = 0, (2).

Boundary Value Problems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bear the form", ensure the context clearly indicates that something is assuming a specific shape, appearance, or characteristic. This phrase is often used in more formal or descriptive writing.

Common error

Avoid limiting the use of "bear the form" exclusively to contexts involving physical burdens. While "bear" can refer to carrying a load, this phrase is best suited for describing how something takes on a particular shape or appearance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bear the form" functions as a verb phrase where "bear" acts as a transitive verb, indicating that something is assuming or displaying a particular shape or characteristic. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct. Examples show its use in diverse contexts, from describing cloud formations to the nature of arguments.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33.33%

Science

33.33%

Encyclopedias

33.33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bear the form" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon expression used to describe something assuming a particular shape, appearance, or characteristic. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is valid. It tends to appear in more formal writing contexts such as news, science, and encyclopedias. Alternatives like "take the shape of" or "manifest as" can be used depending on the desired nuance. When using "bear the form", ensure the context clearly communicates the assumption of shape or quality being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take the shape of

Emphasizes the process of assuming a specific physical shape.

assume the guise of

Highlights a deceptive or altered appearance.

take on the appearance of

Focuses on a superficial change in looks.

exhibit the characteristics of

Focuses on displaying particular traits or qualities.

manifest as

Describes how something becomes apparent or visible.

embody the nature of

Suggests a representation of inherent qualities.

reflect the structure of

Indicates a mirroring or correspondence in structure.

present itself as

Emphasizes the way something appears or is perceived.

mirror the format of

Implies a close resemblance in layout or arrangement.

behave in the manner of

Highlights a similarity in behavior or conduct.

FAQs

How can I use "bear the form" in a sentence?

You can use "bear the form" to describe something assuming a particular shape or characteristic. For example, "The clouds seemed to bear the form of dragons", or "The argument began to bear the form of a heated debate".

What can I say instead of "bear the form"?

Alternatives include "take the shape of", "assume the guise of", or "manifest as" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "bare the form" instead of "bear the form"?

No, "bare the form" is incorrect. "Bear" in this context means to assume or exhibit, while "bare" means to uncover or reveal. The correct phrase is "bear the form".

What's the difference between "bear the form" and "take the form"?

"Bear the form" and "take the form" are quite similar, but "bear the form" can sometimes imply a more inherent or natural assumption of that form, while "take the form" might suggest a more deliberate or transient change.